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Because of the pandemic, some new parents haven't been able to travel to see relatives. That's a universal frustration. In Japan, someone has come up with a solution . . .
According to "The Guardian", new parents in Japan have been sending their relatives RICE BAGS that are customized to weigh the same as their newborn. The idea is that the relatives can then hold the bag and PRETEND it's the baby.
There's a picture of the baby's face attached to the front of each bag, and there are add-ons you can get, like blankets.
The person who came up with the idea is the owner of a rice shop in southern Japan. So, the cynics might say that it's just a way to help sell more rice. But now, multiple companies are making them.
The prices vary based on the weight of the "child" . . . but roughly you'd be looking at around $30 U.S.
(TheGuardian.com has a few photos, and here's another one. What do you think: Is this clever . . . totally ridiculous . . . or just sad?)
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